Award Travel 101

Program Deep Dive: United MileagePlus

• Season 3 • Episode 127

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Episode 126 of the Award Travel 101 podcast kicks off with hosts Angie Sparks and Joseph Petrovic diving into a community trip report featuring Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. The post highlights how award travel makes such adventures possible, prompting Joe to reflect on the gratitude he feels for being part of this group. From card application hurdles to trip upgrades, Angie and Joe share personal experiences and travel wins. Angie attempted to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve business card but was denied due to recent activity and no banking ties, while Joe had similar luck with elevated card offers. They also detail recent travel, including Joe’s family’s Hawaii getaway and an upcoming return to Japan packed with first-class flights and savvy points usage.

In the news segment, big changes to Chase’s Sapphire Reserve—including relaxed eligibility rules and Points Boost in the travel portal—are discussed, though confusion remains over who qualifies for bonuses. Amex’s revamped card offers, including a personalized welcome offer model for the Platinum and Gold cards, are also reviewed. JetBlue’s 25th birthday promotion is spotlighted for offering the chance to earn Mosaic 1 status for 25 years based on flying to unique destinations. The episode wraps up with a deep dive into the United MileagePlus program, where Joe explains its partner network, earning potential, redemption quirks, and status tiers. He emphasizes the value of signing up even for lesser-used loyalty programs and closes with a tip: don’t ignore hotel programs like Wyndham and Choice, which can be surprisingly valuable.

Links to Topics Discussed

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